U.S. soldier killed in Iraq was 30-year-old father from North Carolina

By — Allen G. Breed, Associated Press Allen G. Breed, Associated Press By — Dave Collins, Associated Press Dave Collins, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/u-s-soldier-killed-in-iraq-was-30-year-old-father-from-north-carolina Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter U.S. soldier killed in Iraq was 30-year-old father from North Carolina Nation Jul 21, 2026 2:15 PM EDT RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) — A U.S. soldier killed in Iraq during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone was a 30-year-old father from North Carolina who had served for nearly a decade, according to a military statement Tuesday and his family. Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and will be promoted to staff sergeant. The Army said it was investigating the circumstances of his death Sunday at an air base in Irbil. He leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, his mother said. "I will never recover from this," his wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted Monday on Facebook. "We had so many plans for when you got back, I'm sick to my stomach." She said she was notified Sunday that he had been killed. Two U.S. Army soldiers were also killed in Jordan last week while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. They were the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war. His wife and kids were the center of his world, his mother, Christel Swinton Andujar, told The Associated Press. "His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched, the laughter he shared, the strength he gave others, and the unconditional love he poured into his family," she said via text message. "He will forever be missed, forever honored, and forever our hero." Swinton enlisted in the Army in 2017 and was assigned to the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He lived in Spring Lake, a popular off-base location for Fort Bragg families, according to pubic records. The military gave his hometown as Fayetteville, another nearby community. WATCH: U.S. launches more strikes on Iran after deaths of service members "Sgt. Swinton was an experienced noncommissioned officer who took great pride in his work and the people around him," said Brig. Gen. John L. Dawber, commanding general of the Army Air and Missile Defense Command. "He answered the call to duty with courage, honor, and selfless dedication." Renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran is now in its 10th day, with both sides launching barrages of strikes. Iran has attacked U.S. allies in the region, and American soldiers are stationed across the Middle East. The Defense Department identified the soldiers killed in Jordan as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas. They were also with Army Air and